GvW supports Fielmann Group in further expansion in North America

Fielmann Group continues its international expansion strategy: Fielmann USA Inc. based in New York, USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fielmann Group AG based in Hamburg, Germany, has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Shoptikal Topco, Inc. (Shopko Optical) based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. The acquisition of Shopko Optical closed on July 1, 2024.

Shopko Optical is an optical retail company that operates more than 140 shops in 13 US states. After closing of the transaction, Fielmann USA Inc. intends to integrate Shopko Optical into its omnichannel platform to serve customers through digital sales channels and a total of over 220 optical shops in 19 states following the acquisition.

Fielmann Group is the market leader in Central Europe and one of the largest optical companies worldwide. With its digital sales channels and around 1,000 retail shops, it serves more than 27 million customers with glasses, contact lenses and hearing systems.

The US law firm O'Melveny & Myers LLP  and GvW Graf von Westphalen have advised Fielmann Group AG on the acquisition of Shopko Optikal. The GvW team consisted of Titus Walek and Sina Reck  (both M&A). Already in 2023, GvW were among the legal advisors to Fielmann Group on its acquisition of SVS Vision (Detroit, Michigan) and Eyevious Style (Calgary, Canada).